 has stated unequivocally that granting amnesty to surrendered terrorists and bandits does not fall within){kind=link}
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated unequivocally that granting amnesty to surrendered terrorists and bandits does not fall within the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
This clarification was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, during a press briefing where he provided updates on ongoing military operations across the country for the period between April and June 2025.
Major General Kangye addressed recent reports indicating that some bandit leaders in Katsina State had voluntarily surrendered and released captives in what was believed to be an exchange for amnesty.
He noted that while such developments signal the effectiveness of both kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (non-combat) approaches to counterinsurgency, the decision to grant amnesty does not lie with the military.
“Amnesty is not part of our responsibilities,” Kangye emphasized. “Our role is to conduct operations based on our rules of engagement and operational directives. When individuals surrender or are arrested during such operations, we hand them over to the appropriate government agencies. The decision to grant amnesty rests solely with those agencies, not with the Armed Forces.”
He further explained that any consideration for clemency would be based on thorough evaluation by the relevant civil authorities, not the military hierarchy.
In response to questions regarding the military’s continued detention of community leaders from Okuama in Delta State—despite reports of a court order for their release—Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, addressed the issue. He explained that, to date, the military had not received any official court order mandating the release of the detained individuals.
It will be recalled that on March 14, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Okuama community, located in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. During a peacekeeping mission, four officers and thirteen soldiers were ambushed and killed by armed assailants.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and led to a military operation in the community, during which several individuals suspected of involvement in the attack were apprehended.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated its commitment to upholding national security and ensuring justice, while stressing that the Armed Forces continue to operate within the framework of the law and in accordance with their constitutional responsibilities.